Top 8 Social Media Phrases to Get Customers Clicking

Written by: Kathryn Tuggle03/01/13 - 12:06 PM EST

NEW YORK ( TheStreet) -- For small-business owners, it may seem like the battle is won once consumers know your name and understand your product -- but often the bigger challenge lies in inspiring consumers to interact with your brand.

Social media has proved a useful tool for conveying a company's voice and power, but it's not always easy knowing what to say. While it would be wonderful if every status update motivated customers to offer feedback and make purchases, experts say it's all in the words you deliver. We've got a list of the top eight words and phrases that can inspire brand confidence and whisk your valuable followers from "likes" and "retweets" to point of purchase.

"I have found that saying I am 'thankful' or noting gratitude for an opportunity, new client win, or a company milestone, I get more engagement," says Jennefer Witter, founder and CEO of PR firm the Boreland Group .

"I feel that people appreciate it when you note -- gently -- that you recognize and appreciate when things go your way. Of course, it has to be in the appropriate context and you can't go overboard, or you'll seem inauthentic. Whatever you say has to be sincere -- phoniness is spotted a mile away," Witter says.

2.) Share the credit.

"I always make a point to acknowledge my staff. I often use adjectives like 'wonderful' or 'fabulous' but in a way that there is no artifice to it," Witter says. "My Facebook (FB) friends know I am being sincere."

Witter says that people grow to respect a company when they see that credit is shared. Also, it showcases the quality work your company offers.

"It can be an attractive lure to potential clients and acts as a reinforcement to current clients that they are being serviced by the best in the industry," she says.

3.) Ask for action.

A call to action, especially at the beginning of a post, tends to promote participation and clickthrough with the brand, as it is asking people to conduct an action directly, says Jennifer Hyla, the director of SEO for Performics, a global performance marketing agency.

"A very straightforward and simple request is best," she says.

Phrases such as "Check us out for more details," or "Visit us to learn more," manage to ask for action without demanding attention.

4.) Topical keywords

What's going on in the news? Monitor trending topics on Twitter and use them as keywords in Facebook posts, Hyla says.

"You can create social content around high-trending keywords that are relevant, which allows brands to target people specifically interested in a keyword or product," she says.

When possible, converge your "call to action" blast with your topical keywords. For example, a hair product company could take advantage of the popularity of a TV show such as Dancing With The Stars :